The Alaska DNR has a new plan that will serve as the basis for the management of 9 million acres of state lands and waters in the Interior for the next 20 years. Don't miss your chance to comment by August 31st!

Your free ticket to explore the Western Arctic with local author, Debbie S. Miller and book contributors on Nov 17, 2012- 7pm at Schaible Auditorium.
The program will feature images and natural sounds from the Western Arctic based on three seasons of explorations with a team of outstanding photographers, including Patrick Endres and Hugh Rose of Fairbanks.

Virginia "Ginny" Hill Wood, 93, recieved a national award for her role in Alaska conservation here in Fairbanks this week that recognized her critical role in many conservation issues starting with the establishment of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Fish & Wildlife Service's Citizen's Award to Wood is a fitting tribute to her visionary achievement this year as we celebrate the Arctic Refuge 50th anniversary.

Nearly 200 runners at the Annual Run for the Refuge raced 5 or 10k to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in record high 91°F -- the warmest for late August in 100 years.

On Sunday, July 29th, NAEC will host its 16th annual Run for the Refuge at the UAF West Ridge Ski Hut. The event is a community-centered 5k and 10k for walkers and runners of all ages to support the Arctic Refuge. This year, the two participants who raise the most money through pledges will win a gift certificate for a round trip ticket to the arctic with Wright Air!

Tuesday November 15 is the last day to send in comments to the Fish & Wildlife Service on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's management plan or "CCP." Alaskans made history at the public hearings in Anchorage and Fairbanks with a strong majority supporting Wilderness protection for the refuge compared to those who testifying against it or for drilling. Please take action today!

Alaska Office Fails to Rely on Sound Science for New Assessment done in Wake of BP’s Gulf of Mexico Disaster. Today, the Alaska office of the federal offshore agency (BOEMRE) released a new draft environmental analysis that says drilling for oil in the Chukchi is justified at any cost. This took place the same day as Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced plans to lift the moratorium on deepwater Gulf of Mexico offshore oil drilling.

Significant support was shown by Alaskans for a balanced land management approach that protects special areas for wildlife, cultural values, and recreation in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. See what Rep. John Dingell, Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope, and the Northern Center say about this prized place!

Fairbanks is located in the interior of Alaska, but what happens in our oceans affects us all. As a gateway to the Arctic, we express solidarity with coastal peoples. On August 4th, we'll gather at the Northern Center (830 College Road) at 11am to share stories about the Arctic Ocean, take the official hands across the sands (backyard) picture, and enjoy a potluck picnic.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service released its draft Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) on August 15, 2011. The plan made an important decision to formally consider Wilderness for the crucial Coastal Plain area – the biological heart of our nation’s wilderness icon -- presenting a historic opportunity to protect the Arctic Refuge for future generations. The public comment period has begun, and the first public meeting will be held August 24 in Fairbanks, with important hearings later on.

The Northern Alaska Environmental Center’s 16th Annual Run for the Refuge brought together runners of all ages on Sunday, July 29. The race was a memorable celebration of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge through the boreal forest trails at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Click to see the results!

The combination of near-record Arctic sea-ice loss and continued development of oil and gas in proposed polar bear critical habitat spells double trouble for Alaska’s polar bears, according to a new report issued by the National Wildlife Federation and the Northern Alaska Environmental Center. Mapping out recently proposed polar bear critical habitat relative to approved offshore oil development and recent trends in sea-ice decline, Double Trouble: Melting Arctic Sea Ice and Offshore Oil Development highlights the multiple threats facing polar bears in Alaska. To read the full report and download hi-resolution versions of the maps, visit www.nwf.org/polarbearreport.

In light of the ongoing Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska Native communities and conservation groups sent a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today urging him to reconsider his approval of exploratory drilling by Shell Oil due to begin in Alaska’s Arctic Ocean in less than 60 days. The groups point to new information from the Gulf spill that requires the Secretary to reconsider his decision to approve Shell’s Arctic Ocean drilling.

the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service began its update of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s 22-year old Comprehensive Conservation Plan to guide long-term stewardship of this conservation area including wilderness and wild and scenic river reviews. On this 50th anniversary of America’s wilderness refuge we have a great opportunity to promote stronger protection for future generations.

On Wednesday, May 23, the BLM hosted a public hearing on their new plan for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Conservation advocates turned up and spoke eloquently for Alternative B. Comments for conservation outnumbered development 6:1. There is still time to comment before June 1!